Black Beauty

98 Black Bemity.was at once dismissed ;his poor wife and little children hadto turn out of the pretty cottage by the park gate and gowhere they could. Old Max told me all of this, for it happeneda good while ago ; but shortly before Ginger and Icame, Smith had been taken back again. York had intercededfor him with the Earl, who is very kind-hearted, and theman had promised faithfully that he would never tasteanother drop as long as he lived there. He had kept hispromise so well that York thought he might be safely trustedto fill his place whilst he was away, and he was so clever andhonest that no one else seemed so well fitted for it.It was now early in April, and the family was expectedhome some time in May. The light brougham was to befresh done up, and as Colonel Blantyre was obliged to returnto his regiment, it was arranged that Smith should drive himto the town in it, and ride back ; for this purpose he took thesaddle with him, and I was chosen for the journey. At thestation the Colonel put some money into Smith's hand andbid him good-by, saying, "Take care of your young mistress,Reuben, and don 't let Black Auster be hacked about by any randomyoung prig that wants to ride him—keep him for the lady."We left the carriage at the maker's, and Smith rode me tothe White Lion, and ordered the ostler to feed me well, andhave me ready for him at four o'clock. A nail in one of myfront shoes had started as I came along, but the ostler did notnotice it till just about four o'clock. Smith did not come intothe yard till five, and then he said he should not leave till six,as he had met with some old friends. The man then told himof the nail, and asked if he should have the shoe looked to."No," said Smith, "that will be all right till we gethome."He spoke in a very loud, off-hand way, and I thought itvery unlike him not to see about the shoe, as he was generallywonderfully particular about loose nails in our shoes.